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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Starting THIS SUNDAY the Eternal Summer Potluck Series is BACK!!!!

By popular demand we bring you back the series that started it
all...the Eternal Summer of the Black Feminist Mind Potluck series!

The
Eternal Summer of the Black Feminist Mind Potluck Series is a
never-ending series of delicious gatherings celebrating, lifting up,
studying and utilizing the legacy of Black feminist thought to save our
lives and transform our communities in Durham, NC (and in your community
if you choose to read along!) All people who are excited to be transformed by the brilliance of Black feminists are welcome to this child-inclusive space!

This
summer we will be gathering on 3 Sunday evenings to eat together and
nourish our community and our movement with the brilliance of 3 of Lex's
favorite contemporary poets, Mendi Obadike, Samiya Bashir and Evie
Schockley. Bring food, receive photocopies of a selection of the
featured poets poems and we'll have a conversation that will change our
lives!

2012: Focus on Contemporary Black Feminist Poets

This Sunday May 27th 5pm

Mendi Lewis Obadike
Former
Durham resident, friend and inspiration to Lex and many others, Mendi
Obadike is a deep experimental tribute to reflection, manifestation and
love. A student of Lucille Clifton and a everyday example of how to
bring poetry to life, her work makes space for conversations we need to
have! Join us for a discussion of a sampling of Mendi's poems from Armor and Flesh
and get ready to experience an open heart and a tingling of skin!
Check out Lex's review of Mendi's recent opera masquerade collaboration
with her partner Keith Obadike in 4 Electric Ghosts here to get a sense: http://thefeministwire.com/2012/02/get-there-four-electric-ghosts/

And save the dates for the other two sessions!Sunday June 17th 5pm
Samiya Bashir
Brilliant
poet, educator and smiling visitation of sunshine Samiya Bashir's
poetry rocks in your heart whether you read it with your eyes or your
mouth. There is something so Sunday-perfect and sanctuary ironic about
these poems that you will not want to miss this session! Read Lex's
overjoyed review of Bashir's Gospel here:
http://blackademics.org/2009/05/18/independent-black-gay-and-lesbian-publisher-redbone-press-presents-gospel-by-samiya-bashir/

Sunday July 22nd
Evie Shockley
Evie
Shockley, also a former Durham resident and student of Lucille Clifton
offers urgent experimental resources for Black feminist time travelers
and our cluttered pockets. As a scholar and artist her work allows us
to speak with historical figures, re-meet ancestors we thought we knew
and challenge the ways we internalize space. Half-Red Sea is featured
in the Mobile Homecoming web series The Real Reading Rainbow's Kwanzaa
poetry recommendations video (actually along with the books by the other
poets featured in this series! Check it out here:
https://vimeo.com/34218165